Caption: Henry Martyn Parkhurst (1825-1908), US astronomer. Parkhurst's early career was as a phonograph recorder, serving as Chief Official Reporter for the US Senate from 1848 to 1854. He also invented a new harmonic organ, and advocated spelling reform and a new, universal language. His work as an amateur astronomer included observing the Great Comet of 1843, Donati's Comet of 1858, and the 1868 transit of Mercury. He also invented a 'star mapper' and several photometers, publishing several catalogues of star observations. This image was published in volume 16 (1908) of the US magazine Popular Astronomy.